I love Lebanese, Israeli, and Armenian cuisine, so seeing it elevated in a modern fine-dining way was a lot of fun. The duck hummus, shawarma neck, and tuna kibbeh were all standout dishes. Why overpay at places like Raffi's Place, where the food feels overpriced without showing where the extra money went? Here, you can actually see the quality, creativity, and presentation that justify the price, and the packed dining room proves it. The only downside was that the waitress pushed an appetizer on us twice when we really didn't need it. Two entrées are more than enough to fill you up. Also, because the restaurant stays so busy, don't expect much small talk with the staff. It's very efficient and businesslike, but your food arrives quickly and on time. read more

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Food was excellent. Every dish was very flavorful and had its own unique twist (grilled prawns were easily the best dish)! hummus duck 'nduja 5/5 grilled prawns 5/5 oyster mushroom kebab 3/5 fried quail 3.5/5 slow roasted lamb neck shawarma 5/5 Only issue I had was with the service. Our server pushed for us to order another app/entree even after I told them that we were happy with the amount we ordered. Afterwards, when it was time to pay the bill they "accidentally" added a $315 bottle of wine on our bill which we did not order. This definitely impacted our overall experience negatively. read more

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A very low value system is why I am giving them a ZERO STAR. I have NEVER encountered a restaurant in the last 20 years of my food allergies that said they will not accommodate - even simple things. - when sesame is sprinkled over carrots and you refuse to serve it without the sesame - it either says your food premade and is not fresh, OR your chefs are incompetent OR you don't care to accommodate. - when the sesame bread is part of the dish and you say you cannot substitute it with non-sesame bread - I have to buy it as additional and throw the sesame bread - that says a lot about your value system. Having the best ambience, great food and service mean nothing when your value system is ZERO EMPATHY. read more

100/10 dry aged duck. Just so unforgettable! Can't stop thinking about just how much it lit me up when I had that first bite of the dry aged duck breast. The skin is packed with flavor from the fire, so crispy and satisfying. The meat is delicately rosy in the center, locked in the meat is that the everlasting juiciness. Dipping sauce underneath is sweet and subtle perfectly enriching the sweetness from the dry aged duck. 10/10 lamb neck shawarma. Unlike the lamb neck I had elsewhere, Bavel's lamb neck has such generous serving, just so much meat! I smell the spices, taste the spices and cannot get enough of it! Every last strand of meat is enjoyable. 10/10 hummus + grilled prawn too. Grilled prawns Mediterranean sauce is rich and bold, sweet, tangy and a little spicy. But none of that takes the shine away from the firm and springy prawns. read more

Bavel - Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma - Middle Eastern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Ahhh boyfriend took me here for my birthday it truly did not disappoint. I'm always a bit scared of trying middle eastern food since it's not a cuisine I tend to eat often but everything here was so amazing. Drinks were so good, we had the hummus, roasted asparagus, and shared the ribeye. I'd say server was very meh, definitely did not seem to want to work that day tho server helper and food runner were so engaging that it made the experience much better. Ambience was so beautiful, refreshing, and green. 9/10. read more

Bavel - Middle Eastern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This has become my one of my top LA dining spots! I think the next time I come here I will cry bc the dopamine hit will b crazy Somehow everything was so flavorful but didn't feel oily at all. The smokey flavor was perfect from the nduja duck hummus and oyster mushroom kebab. The sweet fruit flavors paired so well with the salty flavor in the chicken pate. Prawn dishes and smooth hummus will never be the same for me anymore! Extremely flavorful prawns and beef. Very tender and nothing was dry. Service was amazing & ambiance is great for friends and family! I definitely recommend trying this place once in a lifetime.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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Amazing as always. This time i went as a group and I think this place is best enjoyed when there's a smaller group. (2-4) The portions will have you ordering more and it adds up quick! All the food we ordered tasted great and you really can't go wrong with any of it, unless you don't like good food, lol. The service was good and vibes weee great. we sat outside and it was heated. Valet parking is available but you can find street parking. read more

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Finally came back to try the dinner menu. The ambiance remains stunning and service was great. Always busy here with 3/4 of the tables already full just 15 minutes into opening. Make sure you make reservations if you want to secure a table. Tried a few of their fan favorites and overall thought the food was 7.5 out of 10z. 1. Grilled prawns: 4-5 pretty good sized prawns perfectly grilled giving it a slight charred aroma. It was seasoned with harrissa marinade (spicy but so perfect) served with a side of cucumber tzatziki which help neutralize the spice. 10/10 a must order 2. Mushrooms kebabs: grilled mushrooms on a bed of avocado puree and sprinkled with sumac. This was ok but. Nothing special. 6.5/10 3. Hummus Duck 'Nduja: hummus spread with ground duck meat served with side of fresh parsley and cilantro to give it an herbal aroma. Excellent dish. 9.6/10. 4. Wagyu beef cheek tagine: Wagyu beef marinated with pomegranate and Cipollini agrodolce giving it a slight sweetness. Served with a side of cinnamon rice (yes you heard correctly cinnamon in rice). Wasn't bad. But didn't think the beef was good with this dish. 7/10 Also ordered some scotch and also the sumac pomegranate lemonade. Both were excellent. Was too stuffed to have dessert this time. Great place for date night read more

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What a delicious, innovative restaurant! I've been lucky enough to visit twice (so far) and everything is absolutely delicious! Everything is meant to be shared, and it's definitely fun to go with a group so you can try more items. Although, the first time we went was just me and my husband, and we ordered a lot because everything sounded so good! No problem though...we took home leftovers! There is interior seating, which is bustling but a little loud. The patio is lovely and a bit quieter. There is valet parking which is very helpful in that neighborhood. The service is excellent and friendly, and the servers & sommeliers know their stuff! Onto the food! Everything is amazing!! The hummus with the duck sausage is incredible. So is the other one. The little green blob on the side is sort of a pesto. The butter lettuce salad was unexpectedly good, and the steak was out of this world! The duck was delicious, roasted but with confit leg. So yummy and rich. I can't describe it all, so just go! read more

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Good quality meat. The hummus is very delicious (i usually dont like hummus) but theirs is soooo addicting i ended up ordering extra bread. The lamb neck and oxtail were very soft. A bit too sweet but its just a personal preference. And as usual in la parking is valet lol. We also had to make a reservation and waited around 15 min to get seated. Flagging the waiters also a bit hard because they are always busy. But 5 stars for the food!! read more

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Wow, I can't believe I've never left a review for Bavel. I actually ate here for the first time years ago, but I guess I never put up a review. I was happy to visit it last night and was also happy to see that it was still as delicious as I remember it. They were out of a few things that we ordered, but the manager came out the second time something didn't pan out and offered us a free dessert, which is always nice so that was good service by them. The place is pretty gigantic and the servers have to cover a lot of ground so they do a good job of it. I enjoy the flavor profiles on these dishes because this is a place where I like to really experiment and try ingredients that I don't know how they're gonna work together, but I trust that the chefs know what they're doing cause they have the pedigree for it. We made reservations for the counter, but they sat us outside on the patio, which is kind of bland juxtaposed to the inside of the restaurant. The cocktails were especially good as well. Even though the dishes are said to be shareable and small, you really don't have to order that much. We had bread, salad, an appetizer and a main dish and a dessert so only one entrée between the two of us. And we didn't finish everything. read more

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This review is for the drinks only! Showed up on a Monday at 6:30 to have a drink before dinner elsewhere with a friend. The cocktails all sounded intriguing so I asked the bartender for assistance. My drink and my friend's drink were both excellent. I got the martini-ish drink Zarif and my friend's got the Hemingway daiquiri. The restaurant looked really hip and it was packed. Good for them for a Monday! The greenery on the ceiling was really pretty. read more

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This was exceptional - the food/vibe/service was fantastic. Highly recommend reservations bc it was packed when we arrived and stayed that way. Originally half our group was going to get glasses of wine but the somm shared what bottles were available and we ended up going with a really delicious white similar to a sancerre. The tagine beef cheek and the mushroom were knockouts. I think I would skip the lamb skewer next time. read more

The restaurant was beautiful and felt like an upscale casual night out. I heard a lot of rave about this place but I was a bit disappointed. The food to me lacked good flavor. My favorite thing was the fish but we got about 6 things to split in my group and I didn't really like anything else. Server was really nice but I don't think I'd come for food again. read more

Bavel - Lamb shawarma - Middle Eastern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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they hated us for not ordering any entrees but we had food restrictions and they're all meat heavy #unwoke rankings: 1) sweet potato flatbread - so funky from goat cheese and sweet from butternut squash. didn't expect a lot but incroyable 2) baba ganoush - this is one of my favorite dishes ever and they executed it so well. very smokey and fragrant 3) crudo - omg the yuzu tangy sauce we were tryna slurp that shiii the oyster mushroom kebab, prawns, and chicken liver pate were good but not life changing. they all taste kinda chinese or indian so i felt a little underwhelmed. i had crazy high expectations that weren't necessarily reached but it was not a flop at all either. def wanna try the lamb mains next time think other mediterranean places like azizam are more worthy read more

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I had heard about Bavel a few years ago, but during the COVID pandemic they were closed for a while. Later, my ex-boyfriend told me about this place, so we decided to go check it out. My ex-boyfriend lived in Malibu with a beautiful ocean view, but sadly his house was destroyed due to the wildfire in January 2025 last year. He also passed away in October last year. It was an incredibly difficult time for me. I cried a lot, and for a long time I couldn't even see all of the restaurants we had visited together. It made me emotional. Recently, while organizing old photos and memories from places we went together, Bavel especially came to mind. So I decided to write this review. My ex-boyfriend made a reservation for Thursday evening, March 9, 2023. Bavel is a trendy Middle Eastern restaurant located in Downtown Los Angeles. When we arrived, the restaurant was already very crowded, so I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance. We ordered Hummus Masabacha, Roasted King Oyster Mushroom, Grilled Prawns, Slow-Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma, along with drip coffee, Hitachino beer, and Boont Amber beer. For dessert, we had Apple Prune. I especially loved the Grilled Prawns. They were zesty and slightly tangy, and I loved the fresh cucumber and the spices paired with the prawns. The Hummus Masabacha was also very good--super creamy, rich in chickpea flavor, and it paired perfectly with the fried pita. My ex-boyfriend loved all the dishes. Since he was Israeli, he was very happy and said it felt like eating food from his hometown. However, the other dishes were not particularly impressive to me. Especially the Lamb Shawarma, which was totally not my type. I know Bavel is a very popular and famous restaurant in Downtown LA, and I've heard it's quite difficult to get reservations on weekends. Personally, though, I wasn't overly impressed and felt a little disappointed. But the only dish I was a little disappointed with was the Lamb Shawarma. All the other dishes were delicious. If I get the chance, I would still like to come back and try some other dishes. But, Bavel holds too many memories with my ex-boyfriend, so I don't think I can go back there again (Thursday Dinner - March 9th, 2023) read more

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I can't believe this was the first time I've been to Bavel after living in LA for over 4 years!!! Everything was soooo delicious and worth the hype. I love bestia and knew that they have the same owners so I was sooooo excited to finally try Bavel!!!! The highlight dishes are definitely the oyster mushroom kebab, the prawns, and the baba ganoush. The prawns were spicy but the cucumber yogurt dip on the side was so perfect to cool down the spice! For main dish, the giant lamb neck shawarma was amazing. The vibe is also so cute for a gno or a date night!! Our waitress was also so amazing at recommending all the dishes!!! For drinks definitely try the semira (tequila based) so delicious I had to get 2 of them!!!! read more

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Always a good time at Bestia! Went for a weekend dinner. Had reservations as it's always pretty packed and was sat after about 5 minutes at the bar. The vibe is as usual - busy with chatter all around, but doesn't feel the crowd is right on top of you. Ordered some hummus, dates, butter lettuce, mushroom skewers, and some fried eggplant. Most were delicious - would def recommend the dates, butter lettuce, and mushroom skewers. However, was not a fan of the fried eggplant - didn't think the pomegranate sauce and the fry worked together. Overall - I enjoyed most of the foods and will stick to what I like here going forward. Will be back! read more

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Came her for my anniversary and can't thank my friend that recommended it enough. Every single piece of our meal with the amazing seats and great music was well crafted. Amazing drinks going into creamy Duck Hummus with warm soft pita bread and following up with spicy prawns with savory mushrooms was the best choices as we prepared for our entrees. The ribeye alongside the lamb manti paired so well with each other. Our eyes lit up as we took our first bite of each and couldn't believe how flavorful it was. Leaving enough room for the pastry's which made you want more. This is the place to go for any special occasion. read more

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Wowowowow - absolutely incredible! I truly have no notes for the food. Hummus Duck (5/5): We started the with the hummus duck and it was smooth, well balanced, savory, very lightly meaty & not too rich. The bread it came with was hot and fluffy. Malawach (5/5): the most surprising dish because I didn't expect to like it so much. The bread was INCREDIBLE. It was flaky and hot and the sauce that you dipped it in was a great mix of flavors with citrus, spice & a touch of sweetness. All the flavors paired so well together and the egg. Oyster Mushroom Kebab (5/5): this dish is captivating. the texture of this dish will blow your mind. It's got the texture of meat and is bursting with that smoked charcoal flavor you get from kebab. You don't even miss meat eating this. The sauce under pairs with it well and you will keep trying to get more with each bite. Wagyu Beef Cheek Tagine (5/5): it's wildly tender - you don't even need a knife. You don't even need teeth to eat this. I loved the combo of flavors with the cinnamon and the shallots that were done well. Definitely get this! Apple Prune Cake (4/5): We got the apple prune cake and it's so similar to the date cake at Ammatoli in Long Beach. I think the dessert at Ammatoli is better executed but if I hadn't had that dessert I probably wouldn't have any notes for it. I think the overall flavor could be improved juuust slightly. I love the vibes in here - it's very lively and I love the decor. The service was also impeccable - our server was Kenny! I willllllll be back here but expect to spend some $$$$. read more

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We made a reservation several weeks in advance for Bavel. We checked in 15 minutes prior, but were seated exactly at our reservation time. We were seated at the counter, which I thought would be for walk-ins rather than reservations - it made our dining experience more casual (fine for us, we got to watch the open kitchen action, but not ideal for a formal date night). We ordered two spreads: Chicken Liver Paté ($24) and Hummus Duck 'Nduja ($19). For appetizer, got the Oyster Mushroom Kebab ($28). And for our entree we went for the Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma ($58). We were unsure how much food this would be, but ended up being plenty of food for two. The lamb neck shawarma was tender and fatty with a generous portion of meat. The oyster mushrooms were smoky and umami. The chicken pate was also savory and paired well with the sesame buckwheat toast. Finally, the hummus was very smooth, though didn't have much of a duck flavor. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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Wow!! My girlfriend booked reservations to Bavel for Valentine's Day, and we were both so impressed! Bavel was highly recommended to her from a friend, but I've never heard of it before despite its popularity. The staff were so understanding and even set aside our table when we were stuck in LA traffic despite being 15 minutes late. We had the duck hummus to start, and I think it was probably one of, if not the, best restaurant hummuses I've ever had. It didn't stop there -- the prawns were juicy and lathered in a sweet & spicy harissa marinade that went so well with their homemade tzatziki. The oyster mushrooms were also delicious, they tasted like charcoal grilled skirt steak! The star of the show was obviously their lamb shawarma. It was so tender and the flavors complemented each other so well. Highly recommend saving some of the duck hummus for the lamb. We both can't wait to come back to LA and try some more of their dishes. We also want to try their sister restaurant Bestia. Highly recommend!! read more

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WARNING: If you come here your neurological pathways will be forever altered. Proceed at your own risk of forever chasing the high of your first bites here. Bavel has been on my list for quite literally...forever. Last night I received the pleasure of indulging in dishes that I've only seen through my phone or heard through word of mouth. I personally think this place is worth. the. hype. I don't even know where to begin. Well I guess I do...hahaha Starting off with our starter. Oh my! The baba ghanoush is the perfect palate starter. It really makes you want to eat baby!!! This dip was filled with so much depth. Creamy, smoky, crunchy. But I think the real star was their fried pita. I'm practically salivating writing this. These triangular pockets full of sunshine were so hot and fresh, crispy yet chewy in the middle and paired with the dip....1000000/10 We even got a second portion of the bread. Next came the fried quail and grilled prawns. I simply must talk about these prawns. I need to eat these every single day and I would die happy. So spicy and charred yet evenly balanced with tang and sweetness. Combining that with their cucumber tzatziki. Oh I was in heaven. Sucking the shrimp heads might have been the highlight of my 2026 year. That's how good it was. The fried quail was also a superb dish. Perfectly fried quail on a bed of cucumber raita. The cumin really came through and we devoured this quickly as well. Finally, last but so not the least. The lamb shank. Holy moly guys. This was the best fall of the bone lamb I have ever had. So fatty and succulent. I loved making little pita wraps paired with their house pickle. Someone, anyone take me back with you. There was not a single miss on any dish we ordered. I think I will have dreams about these flavors for months to come. Side note: there was no parking at all...I mean it was the arts district but there was valet! Also the service was impeccable. We were sat in the outside venue which I feel is not as extravagant as the main dining hall. So if you want views + food, make sure to keep that in mind. Just know the food will not disappoint. Final verdict: Mind-blowing. read more

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We had a wonderful dinner date here recently and very much enjoyed the meal. The lamb neck shawarma was surely the showstopper, if you will. It arrives at the table with some fanfare and certainly brings out the carnivore in you. It is a well executed dish. It's also so rich that at some point it does feel a bit too much. It's best ordered for a group. The food was excellent over all but comparatively (and by that I mean, in comparison to Bestia which is another restaurant owned and operated by the same owners) we had some minor criticisms on our overall experience here. One is with the service. It's not as friendly or hospitable as Bestia. The pacing of the kitchen was also a little off. The other critique we had was on the menu pricing. The lamb neck which is a massive dish that serves 2 for an entree is priced at 58. That's reasonable. But then I'd reason that the appetizers and smaller plates should be proportionately priced. And they are not. So in conclusion, great dinner spot if you've never been. Give it a try. But Bestia is where we'll be coming back to and sending visiting friends/family to. read more

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I came here with a few friends and we really enjoyed our dinner!! The different dips were so good and I think it was really cool how every dip has a different bread. My favorite would have to be the grilled prawns they were so good and came with a good amount! We had ordered a bottle of wine and we had a few courses before our drinks ever came. We continued with our dinner and enjoyed the lamb shawarma and another course I can't remember. At the end of the course our waiter came through with free dessert to make up for the wait. Totally unexpected but severely appreciated for noticing this and adjusting. Inside was so beautiful and it was fun with great music playing. Would definitely recommend!! read more

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Love love love Bavel. Duck hummus - I've been here twice and ordered both times. Definitely a favorite. Farm cheese - Solid, worth a try, but not my favorite. Fried quail - Super unique, but I would skip Lamb rack - Super good. The first time I ordered this, it was not seasoned as well and my friend had noted that it wasn't as good as before, but I decided to order again my second visit and the seasoning was perfect this time. Lamb was cooked perfectly both times Malawach - This was recommended to me by a friend and it was so good. Buttery and crispy, pairs perfectly with the sauces and soft-boiled egg. Can't wait to order this again read more

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If Bavel has no fans I am no longer alive! Genuinely so delicious with flavors I didn't know existed. My friends and I ordered several dishes to share, including: Oyster Mushroom: This was crazy because even though it was just mushroom, it tasted so much like meat! Lamb Neck Shawarma: Coming into this meal, this was one of the dishes we had really wanted to try for a while. It comes with two different sauces and pickled vegetables, which made the lamb not too heavy when paired together. The server recommended that we make little tacos with the sauce+pita+lamb, which was so fun. Trout Crudo: Light and refreshing, this was one of my favorite dishes of the night! Babaganoush: One of the two dips we got. This was unlike any babaganoush I've ever had, since this is a dish I usually dislike because of the texture. However, this was so creamy and light, and it went so well with their bread pairing! Chicken Pate: This was the richer dip that we got, and comes with a side of jam. It also pairs so well with their bread choice. Every dip on the menu is paired with a different type of bread, which is so interesting. Aged Duck: This was a newer item that was a recommendation from our server! This was so crunchy on the outside, but soft on the inside. Spiced Pear Cake: The perfect way to end our meal- this was delicious, and not too sweet. Pairing the cake with cream and balsamic was also so interesting. This restaurant is located in the LA Arts District, and parking is pretty difficult - they do have valet though! It is also SO popular (not overrated tho!) so either make a reservation or be prepared to wait a good amount of time. The thing that shocked me the most was how consistently good everything was - not a single miss. Service was also exceptional, and every waiter we talked to was both so kind and knowledgeable about the dishes. I am not even normally a fan of Mediterranean food, but this was my top restaurant I've been to this year. A must try for sure :) read more

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OMG STUNNING PLACE AND IMMACULATE FOOD! Great service too. I highly recommend ordering the grilled kohlrabi, which is smoky and meaty somehow even though it is vegetarian (magic!) and it tastes as if cabbage and potato had a baby in the best way, the fluffy pita bread with hummus was a fantastic large and filling stater so be careful, the stuffed dates that completely melt in your mouth and are insane flavor bombs, and of course the white chocolate cashew ice cream bar for a creamy, crunchy, sweet honey explosive way to end the night! Or start it! Pricy but worth it and a beautifully aesthetic interior that will impress. read more

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Came to Bavel to celebrate a birthday and honestly had such a great experience. The space is beautiful -- & lively, perfect for a special night without feeling too formal. The host was super kind and let us sit at our table while we waited for our last guest, which I really appreciated. The shared-plates style worked perfectly for our intimate birthday dinner and made it easy to try a little bit of everything. Everything we ordered was really good, but the mushroom kebabs were unreal. We ended up ordering them twice because they were that flavorful. The texture was perfect -- they honestly tasted and felt like a juicy piece of steak or chicken. So good. The grilled prawns were seasoned and cooked perfectly. The hummus and pita weren't my favorite flavor-wise compared to other places I've had, but the presentation was unique and still enjoyable. For dessert, we got the chocolate donuts, which were more like warm beignets dusted with powdered sugar -- so good and a perfect way to end the night. Overall, great food, great service, and an amazing vibe for a birthday dinner. Would definitely come back. read more

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This is an overhyped, Middle Eastern restaurant, but grossly overpriced with small portions. There's a nearby parking however the area looks a little shady so I had to pay $20 for my truck to get valet parking. The restaurant was very loud and it was hard to hear a regular conversation.. The lamb chops were probably least seasoned and very expensive at $96 for one serving. The best dish was the broccolini and it was really the sauce that made it. The service was spotty and we kept on having to ask for serving utensils. read more

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HOLY SHIT - you need to eat here. Bavel is 10,000% worth the hype and I'm still thinking about this meal weeks later. Everything was heavenly, the service was next level, and they were incredibly accommodating with my food intolerances (which instantly earns major points). We ordered the plate of veggies (obvious yes) and they gave us SO much, baba ghanoush (my friends could not stop talking about how good it was), and the oyster mushroom kebab - WOWWW. I genuinely don't understand how they pulled off that level of flavor and texture. It was rich, smoky, perfectly cooked, and honestly one of the best mushroom dishes I've ever had. That doesn't even compare to the Grilled Prawns which the harissa marinade was absolutely mind blowing! And then... the slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma. Life-changing. Mandatory order. It literally falls apart, so juicy, so deeply flavorful - I'm not exaggerating when I say everyone needs to try this at least once in their life. We shared a bottle of red wine (Fuentes del Silencio) that our server recommended, and that suggestion hit so hard. Perfect pairing, no notes. From the food to the wine to the service to the atmosphere and aesthetic (which is absolutely stunning), this place delivers on every level. If you're debating going, stop debating and book the reservation. Bavel absolutely lives up to the hype and then some! read more

Bavel - Oyster Mushroom Kebab - Middle Eastern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Always heard about this place, but finally got to try it to celebrate my brother's birthday. As expected with this kind of restaurant, it's very modern and very appealing to the eyes. But also as expected from the space, it was cramped and incredibly loud. Way too many tables for the space, and I'm pretty sure I saw a couple of workers bang their thigh on the corner of our table more than once. We were fairly comfortable in the table we sat at, but we did feel bad about those who constantly needed to thread through the tables to fulfill orders. Our server, and the others, we found very attentive to their patrons. Just weird having someone practically have to yell at us to answer our questions, but HEY! whatever works! :) Now the food! We started with the Hummus Duck 'Nduja, which we found fair and ranked a 7/10. We're Asian so we expected the duck part to be more pronounced, but it lacked there. It was a good spread, and the hummus was good - we just wished the duck flavor came out a little stronger. I will say though, their PITA is Chefs Kiss. ** Next were appetizers, which included the dry aged trout CRUDO, and this was my absolute favorite! So so so fresh and so tasty! I ranked this a 10/10. I would have licked the plate clean if it wasn't frowned upon. ;) Another amazing App was the Oyster Mushroom Kebab. We weren't sure how this was going to go, but we are so glad we tried. We saw this was one of the more popular dishes here so we wanted to make sure to taste it. Upon tasting it, my mom questioned "how do they make this taste like meat?!" And all I could do was enjoy the umami bursting through each bite. We cleaned off this plate the fastest. Our last appetizer was the Grilled Prawns, which we ranked a 7/10 generously. Nothing too special about it, but the tzatziki pairing was smart. A strong flavor with the yogurt made a good balance. Now Entrees! We had the Grilled dorade, which we ranked 8/10. I wasn't too fond of the extra spices on top, but it was a good fish. My mom really liked this one. The second entree was Wagyu Beef Cheek TAGINE. We came to try the duck, but they had run out, so this was our next choice. This was another one we were actually happy we ended up getting because this was my brother's favorite. Super soft and super tasty. It was accompanied with Koshari rice that had cinnamon in it, and it sounds weird, but it worked so well. This was a 9/10. Lastly, I think this is the first time EVER that we were not offered a complimentary birthday dessert. We ordered the Nougat Ice Cream Bar which they just added a candle to. Now I know I shouldn't just expect a COMPLIMENTARY anything for whatever celebration, but it just happened to be a first for us. Anyways, the Nougat Ice Cream Bar was 5/10. It was aiiight. Nothing special. All in all, it was a good experience. Aside from having to yell to converse, and having the table be bumped a couple of times, everything was great. I would definitely come again. Thanks, BAVEL! read more

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Bavel came highly recommended by a friend, so six of us gathered for a Friday-night feast. The menu is built for sharing, which made it easy - and dangerous! - to sample a little of everything. We ordered a wide spread of food (see photos): hummus mashaushe, grilled dates, butter lettuce salad, trout crudo, roasted sprouting cauliflower, oyster mushroom kebab, sweet potato flatbread, fried quail, wagyu beef cheek tagine, spiced pear cake, nougat ice cream bar, and chocolate lavender donuts. A couple bottles of red wine rounded things out. The food across the board was excellent, but the standout - the dish I'll remember for a long time - was the wagyu beef cheek tagine. It was impossibly tender, the kind of dish you don't even chew; it just melts. What also impressed me was the service. With so many shared plates constantly rotating in and out, table management really matters. The servers were on it - clearing empty dishes promptly, refreshing our small plates multiple times, and somehow keeping the table from ever feeling crowded. If you've ever been to a place where food keeps coming but nothing gets cleared, you'll appreciate how well Bavel handles this. The one downside: it's loud. The vibe is great and energetic but hearing the conversation at our table was sometimes challenging--more like a busy bar than a sit-down dinner. Will I be back? Absolutely. Just waiting for my next invitation. read more

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Came here for dinner. Sorry packed restaurant, you would need a res for sure. We got a 9 pm res and there were still people coming in after us. It's so loud even in the outdoor seating. We ordered the duck hummus, sweet potato flat bread, beef cheek tagine, and the fish. I've had a lot of tagine and middle eastern food cause travel so I can compare! The duck hummus was so soft and smooth better anything I've had. The flat bread didn't come cut up, but the flavor pairing was just amazing: Sweet potato, cheese, honey and walnuts yum! The fish came deboned, the chili crisps reminds me of Asian chili plus a little more spices. The beef tagine though, wasn't cooked in a tagine and you can tell, maybe just heated or warmed. Wagyu Beef was tender, but the flavoring wasn't amazing. Overall the apps and starters were amazing. But the entrees fell short. Not sure on the lamb since I didn't eat it read more

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Bavel is run by the team that brought us Bestia. Bavel is a reference to Babylon, and they sought to bring Angelenos the rich flavors of the Middle East (before Babylonians built the Tower of Babel and cultures/languages separated) Flavors here are special. Once you enter this restaurant, you can't help but notice the hellfire from their impressive wood-fired oven in the center of their kitchen, that provides the smoky flavor that anchors their food. The food here has flavors that you don't see in your local kebab stop. Hummus is loaded with two types of garbanzos, olive oil, and a bountiful number of herbs. The pita bread is freshly prepared and served still hot from the oven, yet has a nice chew in the middle. If you get their oyster mushroom kebab, it has the texture of meat, the unmistakable flavors from the fire, and savoriness from their avocado and cilantro sauce. The fire-grilled mushroom probably had the most memorable flavors of the night and I recommend this! Their dry aged trout crudo is reminiscent of a refreshingly cold ceviche crossed with a tom kha soup as it comes with coconut milk, kaffir lime, chili; however, it gets sweetness from persimmon, and onions. The grilled prawns are smoky, juicy, creamy from the head juices, and savory, it has an addictive kick from harissa and a tzatziki sauce that cools you down if you need it. For our entree, we couldn't pass up their lamb neck shawarma, which was slow roasted all day, and served with laffa, tahini, and pickled veggies. I made sandwich bites from the fresh-baked laffa and tahini. The meat was savory, fork-tender, rich, and loaded with warm spices. My wife and I ate it until we couldn't eat another bite. Somehow, however, we found a second stomach to eat dessert. My wife got their spiced caramel ice cream, which was basically an affogato with Turkish coffee. I opted for their nougat ice cream bar, which I felt was like an upscale cross between a Snickers Ice Cream Bar and baklava. Costs are high here, flavors are five stars, and atmosphere is pretty cool; however, service was a step behind, which was a little disappointing (which made me consider making this 4 stars). Parking in Arts District can be difficult; however, we were able to get valet parking for $13. Overall, I recommend this spot as the flavors are ultimately memorable and not something that you can replicate. read more

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What an experience! This is the second time I've been to Bavel and the food was even better than I remembered. With a large group of friends, we were able to try a variety of the dishes and none disappointed. The stars of the show were the beef cheek, octopus, and the baba ganoush. The flavors were strong yet meshed well together. The wait staff were prompt and attentive. Parking is not great. Valet parking is available, but self parking is very limited, so budget extra time if you want to self-park. Overall, would not hesitate to go back. read more

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Location 4: In DTLA, in the revived Los Angeles Arts Distinct. Valet parking is your best bet. Limited street parking is available but may not be the safest option for you or your car, especially at night. Venue 5: Beautiful, trendy venue with an "atrium" vibe, featuring a large full bar as well as patio seating and indoor tables and booths. Service 5: Extremely attentive. You get a server and a busser. Complimentary sparkling and still water are served and our glasses were kept full at all times! Drinks 4.5: Interesting, eclectic list of signature cocktails. They have a full bar but the premium spirits offered are also rather eclectic and not mainstream. You will not find many of the popular premium brands. They also offer beer, wine, coffee and tea. We had the Nebuchadnezzar (their take on the old-fashioned), the Rafaella and the Zarif. Food 5: Middle Eastern fare with a modern western flare. Large assortment of appetizers, small plates and bread, but only 3 large plates when we visited. All food is meant to be shared. The bread is delicious, but not complimentary. They charge $5 per bread plate, and the plates are small. We were a party of 6 and ordered multiple spreads and appetizers as well as one of each three large plates, to share. For spreads, we got the Baba Ghanoush and the Chicken Liver Pate. For appetizers, we ordered the Marinated Olives, the Dry-aged Trout Crudo, the Tuna Kibbeh Nayyeh, the Grilled Prawns and the Sweet Potato Flatbread. We also ordered the following large plates: Grilled Dorade, Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma and Wagyu Beef Cheek Tagine. I must say that everything was EXCELLENT and I would order them again without hesitation! The Price of Admission 3: Prices are on the expensive side (you pay for the food and the service AND the ambiance). They also tag on 4% to the check after the fact for "Healthy LA". My usual concern with this sort of approach is why not simply add it to the prices so that the customer is aware before ordering? The Last Word 5: A great place to meet up with friends, socialize with trendy beautiful people, and enjoy some wonderful, top-notch food, drinks and service! read more

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Fantastic! We walked in on a Monday night for dinner and got seated for counter (I'd recommend to make reservations ahead, we got lucky) Bavel is a sister restaurant with Bestia (an Italian restaurant located in Art District in DTLA as well). Both are famous, I prefer Bavel better if you have to go to one! Everything was amazing, service was good, no pretentious hostess or server with attitude. Our server knows the menu well and gave great recommendations according to the portions, we didn't over order and we enjoyed every single item in here! FOOD Duck Hummus (5/5): So interesting! Quite unique and everything balances well, the bread is served warm and hot. Quite plushy and soft, low key reminds me of corn bread a bit? Not as stiff as the other pita I had in other restaurants. Duck fat in here is perfect, super smooth and rich. Recommend to start with this dish. Oyster mushroom kebab (5/5): Great texture, grilled nicely with a char taste. Great veggie dish to go with, it doesn't even feel like you are eating mushroom, delicious! Eat it while it's hot with the green sauce, plating is nice. Refreshing to have some sort of veggies or greens to pair with their entrees/ hummus dish. Grilled Prawns (6/5): My favourite for the night. Juicy, nicely charred, small plate great to share. Right amount of spice, love the cucumber salad on the side! I love cucumber so this dish just don't have anything for me to be picky with. I'd give 5/5, but since it's the fav dish of all, I give it 6/5! Lamb Shawarma (5.5/5!!): Like OMG... it's so soft, so tender, so juicy, so flavourful. Not gammy at all! This is wonderful, not tough, yummy. Decently portion, comes with tahini and a green sauce with some pickles (side dish?). Not a fan of the pickles or radish thing, would rather have a yogurt cucumber salad sub but it's great, recommend as the entree for protein choice. Wanted to try beef cheek/ fish, would try it next time! They both look great for entrees Nougat Ice Cream Bar (4.8): For dessert, we ordered this. It's great! Love the dates and the base of it, nice. This is a great restaurant in art district. I personally prefer this over Bestia a lot, I was really hyped for Bestia but perhaps Bavel is more surprising and creative when it comes to their dishes it's cushion but not overplayed and portion are also decent. Most dishes are small dish to be shared so it's great to share a few of it and have an entree to get full, better order some salads to refresh pair with you will need it. Ambience is clean, service is good but not luxury high-end so it's still comfortable for a semi-chill dinner/ date night/ eat and yap. Everything is wonderful and we are full when we left! If I'd have to be picky about anything is the curated cocktail selections but this is a restaurant, they still do have a decent amount of liquor choices. Recommend. read more

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Shoutout to Bavel's chefs for the best most well-rounded menu by far, as every dish on the current menu was flavorwise fantastic. From the yellowfish crudo in a spicy pomegranate sauce that left me scraping up the final drops with the tines of my fork, to the classic and always perfectly done oyster mushrooms and lamb rack, to the delicious prawns and malawach, and the final bday surprise with colorful flame candles (the flames were blue!!), and the wonderful service by Mullin the bartender, I am grateful to have celebrated a special evening at Bavel! I'll let the pics speak for themselves, but seriously, out of the multiple occasions I've dined at Bavel -- this menu was top notch and unforgettable. Please excuse my quick wrapup of this review as I want to go slurp up the final drops of that delectable crudo sauce. Jokes aside, thanks Bavel for a great bday and a delicious meal with 5* service! read more

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Came here for date night. Everything was great! The food and service were really good. Will definitely come back read more